WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Representative Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement following President Trump’s executive order that seeks to “reform” the Foreign Service and unilaterally change recruiting, performance, evaluation, retention and personnel standards at the State Department:
“Foreign Service Officers advance and protect U.S. national security interests and American citizens in some of the most dangerous places around the world— no matter who is in the White House. Career diplomats are hired based on their merit, qualifications and expertise, not their political views. This latest executive order—in a string of damaging executive orders—is harmful to our national security, undermines the critical work of our diplomatic corps, puts undue stress on them and their families, and damages the integrity and nonpolitical nature of the Foreign and Civil Service.”
Congress has mandated a bipartisan State Department Reform and Modernization Commission and expects to hold budget hearings with Secretary Rubio in the coming weeks.
###